LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Colonel John P. Bartholf upon the occa-
sion of his retirement from the United States Air Force

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who,
as members of the United States Armed Services, have faithfully served
the people of this great State and nation with enduring commitment and
dedication, merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Colonel John P. Bartholf upon the occasion of his retirement from the
United States Air Force, to be celebrated on Friday, February 17, 2012;
and
WHEREAS, Colonel John Bartholf relinquishes command of EADS on Febru-
ary 17, 2012; he officially retires on May 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the United States Air Force for nearly three
decades, Colonel John Bartholf has served our country with loyalty,
honor and distinction, helping to preserve the principles of democracy
and freedom we so revere; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John Bartholf has served as Commander of the Eastern
Air Defense Sector (EADS), Rome, New York; EADS is one of two North
American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) air defense sectors in the Conti-
nental United States (CONUS) and reports directly to First Air Force and
the CONUS NORAD region, both collocated at Tyndall Air Force Base,
Florida; and
WHEREAS, EADS is responsible for the aerospace defense of the eastern
United States and supports NORAD's Integrated Tactical Warning and
Attack Assessment and NORTHCOM's homeland defense missions; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John Bartholf, a native of Colorado Springs, Colora-
do, attended Mount Vernon High School in Fairfax, Virginia, and gradu-
ated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1981 with an associate's
degree; he transferred to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University, graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Sociology and also earned a reserve commission in the United States Air
Force; and
WHEREAS, Following pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona,
Colonel John Bartholf went to Fighter Lead-in at Holloman AFB, New Mexi-
co and then to F-16 RTU at MacDill AFB, Florida; he has flown the F-16
while assigned to flying units at Torrejon AB, Spain, Moody Air Force
Base, Georgia, Kunsan Air Base, Korea and Eielson AFB, Alaska; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Colonel Bartholf has served as the Air Liaison
Officer for the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colora-
do, and spent time as the Chief, Air-to-Air Operations Inspector, Lang-
ley AFB, Virginia; he became a Reserve Officer with the 134th Fighter
Squadron at Burlington International Airport, Vermont, in July of 1998
where he assisted in transitioning the unit from the NORAD Air Defense
mission to a General Purpose role; and
WHEREAS, In August of 2003, Colonel Bartholf was selected to be the
Northeast Air Defense Sector Operations Group Commander and served in
that capacity for over a year; he then was the Vice Commander (Title 32
Commander) from May 2006 to April 2008; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John Bartholf recently participated in AEF 1/2 as the
Deputy Operations Group Commander, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing located
at Balad AB, Iraq; in April of 2008, he was selected to become Commander
of EADS; and
WHEREAS, A command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours, Colonel
John Bartholf earned many distinguished awards, some of which include:
the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf

clusters, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense
Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal,
the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Air Force Organizational
Excellence award; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career Colonel John Bartholf has
helped to preserve and protect the people, the values, and the beliefs
of our State and nation in exemplary fashion; this Legislative Body is
pleased to have this opportunity to express its appreciation to him on
behalf of the people of the State of New York and to wish him well in
his retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Colonel John P. Bartholf upon the occasion of his retirement from
the United States Air Force, and to commend him for his long and
sustained commitment to the principles upon which our nation was founded
and which are our treasured American heritage; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Colonel John P. Bartholf.